How to Repair a Garbage Disposal Unit

There are a lot of things that can go wrong with a garbage disposal. That is why all people look for the best garbage disposal. And the top problem people have with their disposal is that it won’t run. Nothing can compare to a sink full of food scraps and disposal that does nothing when you turn it on. Fortunately, for this top problem there is a pretty simple solution that will work in most cases.

Many people automatically think a garbage disposal as a complex piece of equipment. In reality, most of the problems involve simple garbage disposal repair. So, before you call the repair man, take a few moments to assess the situation.

Common Garbage Disposal Repair Situations

No matter how new or old your garbage disposal is, there will come a time when you need to do some garbage disposal repair. However, there are many situations where you can easily repair the disposal yourself. Here is a look at some of the common garbage disposal repair situations.

a. Stuck Object

It is common for someone to toss something down the disposal that is not supposed to go there. Whether it is small toy, a piece of silverware or just something that the disposal can’t handle. When this happens it always seems you don’t notice until it is too late.

This ends up jamming the disposal. Remember to unplug the disposal before getting started. To remove the item use tongs or some other tools that can reach down and grab it out to remove the foreign item. Then plug it back in and try running it again.

b. Clogs

Clogs can happen for many reasons. It could be normal sludge, something too thick went down the drain or oil has hardened within the pipes. You can use a clog cleaner made for use in disposals.

If that doesn’t work then loosen the P trap and see if you can clean it out from there. You may even need to use a snake to work the clog out.

c. Overload

When your disposal is overloaded it has a feature that automatically shuts it off. This will happen to prevent the machine from getting too hot. When this happens try hitting the reset button. If this doesn’t work then you will need to contact a professional because the electrical part of the machine may need serviced.

With any of these situations, if you can’t fix the problem then it is time to call a professional. There are many companies that offer garbage disposal repairs service. These companies may be able to help repair your disposal instead of having to get it replaced which can save you a lot of money.

When working on your disposal make sure that you never put your hand inside the machine when working on it. Even with the power off you do not want to put your hands into the working part of the machine. If you are ever in doubt just call a professional. This will ensure you don’t get hurt or damage the machine.

How to Simply Repair Garbage Disposal

When a garbage disposal won’t run there are few reasons why. It could not be getting any power, which could mean a damaged cord or even a bad outlet. A break could need reset or it could just be worn out and need replaced. More often than not, it just needs reset.

a. Check the Unit

You should begin by checking out the unit. Make sure you never put your hand in the disposal. Start with the power cord. Is it plugged in? If not then you have found your problem. If it is plugged in then unplug it and test the outlet.

Just plug something else in and see if it works. If it doesn’t then the problem is not the disposal. You might want to check the breaker. If you have not found the problem then move on to resetting the unit.

b. Use Reset Button

Garbage disposals are made to be rather user friendly and repair friendly. It doesn’t take any complicated tools or knowledge to reset your garbage disposal. All you have to do is look for the reset button, which is usually located on the bottom of the unit and bright colored.

If it needs reset then the button will be sticking out. Simply push the button and you should have a working disposal.

c. Hire a Professionals

There are many professionals who offer garbage disposal repair services. Typically, plumbers will be the most common professionals who offer this service. Most companies have years of experience in repairing disposals and their plumbers are trained to determine the problem and get the machine fixed quickly.

Most of the time resetting the unit will do the trick. If it doesn’t and the power to the outlet is fine then maybe it is just time for a new disposal. Before buying read garbage disposals reviews written by professionals These things may be tough and last a while, but they do wear out eventually.

Typically there is no other repair that can be done for a unit that is not getting power. However, you can always check with a repair man to see what he thinks if you are ready to buy a new one.

SumoGardener.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Additionally, SumoGardener.com participates in various other affiliate programs, and we sometimes get a commission through purchases made through our links.